Welcome to Bimmerfest -- The #1 Online Community for BMW related information! Please enjoy the discussion forums below and share your experiences with the 200,000 current, new and past BMW owners. The forums are broken out by car model and into other special interest sections such as BMW European Delivery and a special forum to voice your questions to the many BMW dealers on the site to assist our members!

E82 / E88 1 Series (2008 - 2013) BMWs throw back to the iconic 2002, with a renewed form and function. The smallest car in BMW's line up but still packs a punch. Available in coupe or convertible, powered by either an inline 6 in the 128 or the twin turbo rocket sled 135.

Pondering this choice and looking for opinions-
128 with Metallic, Premium, Heated Seats, Convenience, M Sport, Nav, PDC, HKSurround
or
135 with Metallic, Heated Seats, PDC, Premium
128 prices and leases for less.
Note: Already have a 335i Cabrio with M Sports so will have the twin turbo to use.

I've driven the 135i but I really like my 128i vert. I agree the power is more than adequate and is even enough for an autocross - light track use. You have to keep the rpm up to keep it moving quickly but that is how I think cars should be. The 135i has lots of torque at much lower rpm so being in the right gear is not nearly so critical to fast movement. Nice but could make you sloppy. The difference in power does not seem like it's of practical use on the street.

The 2012 128i is probably the last you will see of the na 6 cyl engine. It won't necessarily become a collector item, but I should think it will become more desirable. The NA engine is understressed, so should give long trouble free service. I find my 128i to be very quick and have more than enough power to keep the CHP interested.

I like my 128 coupe with sport package. I thought of getting the 135, but worried that it would make me lazy... I also like how the NA sounds up in the rev band. And it is more than enough power on an everyday basis.

I also worried about the reliability, but that seems to be less of an issue these days (?)

I like my 128 coupe with sport package. I thought of getting the 135, but worried that it would make me lazy... I also like how the NA sounds up in the rev band. And it is more than enough power on an everyday basis.

I also worried about the reliability, but that seems to be less of an issue these days (?)

The 2012 128i is probably the last you will see of the na 6 cyl engine. It won't necessarily become a collector item, but I should think it will become more desirable. The NA engine is understressed, so should give long trouble free service. I find my 128i to be very quick and have more than enough power to keep the CHP interested.

If you could get the last .28 inline six, I would do it. It has nice power, and some cachet going for it. It does require a 6MT though, otherwise, forget it.

At the time when I was a prospective buyer, no question I would have bought the 135i had I gone with a 1er. Today, I'm not quite as certain, and I would want to test drive both of them again. Have you driven them? It's true about the 135i being a rocket sled. My test drive, my heart was pounding, not a joke. (I only test drove MT's, but did drive an AT 135i once as a loaner.) Anyway, I remember the fuel tank being close to empty, and the dealer being of a smaller stature, so maybe the relatively light weight really pronounced the high levels of adrenaline.

However, I have a feeling that the 128i will likely be plenty for you. I see at the BMW site, after a quick calc with the first numbers given for unladen weight, that it would be 771 lbs less than your current ride.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamdog

If you could get the last .28 inline six, I would do it. It has nice power, and some cachet going for it. It does require a 6MT with the CDV delete modification though, otherwise, forget it.